Wednesday, 11 November 2009

About: Fetish Prints

Fetish prints was set up in London, November 1st 1999. It was meant as an umbrella, which housed various renegade print-makers and ink fiends. My first prints were madein the basement of the London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle. I got a helping hand from an old dopefiend named “Mast” and got going. After that, there was no turning back… You never knew what you was going to get when you lifted up that screen. That feeling never went away and that was enough for me. I was eventually forced to leave the studios, due to a grim old bitch named “Shela”. She could not bear my radical printing techniques. My days were numbered, but my desire to print was too strong. I robbed the college's paper delivery truck, cleaned out the ink cabinets and sought refuge in a grimy industrial estate in south east London. Where I operated under roof of Counterprint LTD. I thrived there for many years, but nothing lasts forever…

It was time to move on, but I didn’t want to leave empty handed, I bought the kit and was able to stash it, with the kind help of a fellow ink fiend from Middlesex named “Father Flynn” an associate of master typesetter “Lord Gossett” My kit remained at the safe house for many years, but the act of printing never left my mind. I knew one day I would be printing again and yes I could smell it…

Soon they gave me their highest honor and I was granted the key to their holy chamber, the letterpress room at Middlesex University. I used it now and again and became a fiend of those lovely woodblocks. “Astonish Me Press” was breaking new ground, way ahead of the game. They used lasers and heavy digital technology to carry out ancient tasks. I must admit I got a boner at the time, but I wanted to be able to work more freely and one day I hooked up with an old dopefiend named Caliper Boy. He was still wearing diapers back then, printed on his floor and shit, but the kid had potential and soon we where driving all over town picking up gear. It was time to go to the safe house, we were greeted at the gate by Father Flynn. It was a heavy load, but I could see light in the end of the tunnel. Soon we were on our way to set up shop, once again…

The place was Jaundice Crook and I could feel my fingers getting itchy. Some construction was needed and after some delay, our shop was operational. “Bozo” was of great help and soon we were up and running.We dubbed it "Heretic Printmakers". I printed around the clock, went a little mad, but fuck it, you only lived once. I never did it for the money, I carried on until the break of dawn. I had no time to waste, I was on my way out and I could see the end on the horizon. I lived in there, day & night, an eternal struggle, a constant fight but I got there in the end, ooooh what a feeling! I chased that image for 10 years, now the last print stared back at me, reflecting my life on paper, a document, written for future generations. I was blind then, but now I can see. I smacked the last nail in my coffin and rolled it out for the final journey home to Valhalla…